Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Aaditya Thackeray to Lead Mumbai Open Spaces Protest
Aaditya Thackeray is planning a protest in Mumbai about the city’s open spaces.
It will take place on August 23 at Neville D’Souza Football Turf in Bandra West.
He says the government and BMC are allowing builders and contractors to use playgrounds and sports areas.
He wants people to bring the Indian flag instead of party flags.
The protest also follows a proposal for a convention centre at the football ground.
Local residents and some football supporters oppose that proposal.
They worry Mumbai could lose an important place for football.
The government and BMC’s approval of the proposal is the focus of the disagreement.
Aaditya Thackeray will lead the Mumbai Maidan Bachao Tiranga Andolan on August 23 at Neville D’Souza Football Turf in Bandra West.
The protest will oppose alleged government and BMC plans to convert open spaces, playgrounds and sports complexes for commercial development.
Thackeray urged attendees to carry the Indian national flag rather than political party flags and bring red cards.
He alleged that open spaces in Bandra West, Juhu, Andheri and Mulund were being targeted for projects involving builders and contractors.
The protest follows BMC approval of a proposal to develop a convention centre at Neville D’Souza Football Ground.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, local residents, sections of the football community, the BMC and the Maharashtra government.
- What
- A protest called the Mumbai Maidan Bachao Tiranga Andolan against alleged loss and commercial redevelopment of Mumbai’s open spaces.
- When
- Sunday, August 23, at 5 p.m.; Thackeray announced it in a post dated August 21, 2026.
- Where
- Neville D’Souza Football Turf in Bandra West, Mumbai.
- Why
- Thackeray and opponents object to a proposal to develop a convention centre at the football ground and allege that other open spaces are being handed to builders and contractors.
Protesters and Local Opponents
Civic Development Proposal
Use of Neville D’Souza Ground
Protesters and Local Opponents
Aaditya Thackeray, local residents and sections of the football community oppose changing the football ground’s use, citing the loss of a dedicated football space.
Civic Development Proposal
The BMC has approved a proposal to develop a convention centre at the ground.
Mumbai’s Open Spaces
Protesters and Local Opponents
Thackeray alleges that the government and civic authorities are taking open spaces, playgrounds and sports complexes for commercial development and handing them to favoured builders and contractors.
Civic Development Proposal
The article reports the approved convention-centre proposal but does not provide a detailed response from the BMC or Maharashtra government to Thackeray’s allegations.
- Protest name
- Mumbai Maidan Bachao Tiranga Andolan
- Date and time
- August 23 at 5 p.m.
- Venue
- Neville D’Souza Football Turf, Bandra West
- Organiser
- Aaditya Thackeray
- Main opponents named
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra government
- BMC proposal
- A convention centre at Neville D’Souza Football Ground, involving a change in the ground’s existing use
- Other areas mentioned
- Bandra West, Juhu, Andheri and Mulund